District Profile

District:

Jhapa

Jhapa District Coordination Committee (DCC), formerly called Jhapa District is located in Province 1 of the eastern region of Nepal. It borders with West Bengal (India) to the East, Morang to the West, Illam to the North and Bihar (India) to the South. Jhapa has 8 municipalities and 7 rural municipalities. The total area of Jhapa is 1,606 km2. The lowest elevation point is 58 meter which is the lowest point of Nepal and highest elevation point is 500 meter above sea level. The current population of Jhapa is 647,492 and the average population density is around 400 people per square km. The headquarter of Jhapa is connected by feeder road to the East-West Highway at Birtamod, and is also connected to the Hill parts of the eastern region of Nepal. Jhapa is the gateway to India for the eastern region of Nepal.

The annual rainfall is about 2,000 mm and maximum temperature is recorded 42º C in summer and 10ºC in winter. The entire are of Jhapa lies in the Terai. Jhapa is famous for different cash crops, tea, horticulture and livestock.

Map of Nepal indicating Jhapa District Coordination Committee

According to the Census 2011, the total population of Jhapa is 812,650 comprising 385,096 male and 427,554 female residing in 184,552 households. The average household size is 4.40 persons. Jhapa has an average population density of around 506 people per square km. The average literacy rate is about 75% (68% female and 82% male are literate). Jhapa has multi ethnic composition; majorities are Brahamin, Chetri, Rajbanshi, Limbu, Rai, Tamang, Kami, Damai. In terms of religion, Hindus are 80%, Kirati 8% and other 12%. The main language is Nepali (58%) followed by Rajbansi (13%), Limbu (5%), Santhali (4%) and Maithali (3%) and other (17%).

The headquarter Chandragadi is connected by blacktop feeder road to the East-West Highway at Birtamod, and Jhapa is also connected to the Hill parts of the eastern region of Nepal. Jhapa is the gateway to India for the Eastern Development Region of Nepal. The DRCN connects all municipalities to the SRN, but is in poor condition and requires upgrading, rehabilitation and proper maintenance. Jhapa has an estimated road network of 2068.5 kilometres, including two strategic roads with total length of 216.6 km, 269.45 km of district road core network and 791.72 km of village roads. Out of that 342.38 km existing black top surface, 1131.55km is existing gravel road and 594.56 km are earthen road.